Santa Rosa man who slashed dog's throat pleads guilty to animal cruelty

SANTA ROSA, Calif. -- A Santa Rosa man who admitted he tried to euthanize his dog by cutting its throat has pleaded guilty to a felony animal cruelty charge, prosecutors said.

Ramiro Ramirez, 34, faces a maximum sentence of 200 days in Sonoma County Jail and a $20,000 fine when he is sentenced Dec. 22, Sonoma County District Attorney Jill Ravitch said.

Ramirez also could be ordered not to have any animal under his care or custody, Ravitch said.

A concerned citizen called Sonoma County Animal Services after hearing "Shadow," a 12-year-old black Labrador retriever, crying and whining from the Santa Rosa Creek Trail near Petaluma Hill Road on March 22, Ravitch said.

The dog was found in eight inches of water. Its back legs and a muzzle were bound and it was bleeding from three large neck wounds, Ravitch said.

The dog was immediately taken to the Redwood Veterinary Clinic but died a week later from an unrelated medical condition, Ravitch said.

Ramirez was contacted when investigators learned the dog was previously implanted with an identification chip. He told investigators the dog died the year before, but later admitted he tried to euthanize the dog by cutting its throat with a knife, Ravitch said.

After the third cut, Ramirez said he became extremely emotional, could not proceed and left the dog by the creek, Ravitch said.

Ravitch said Sonoma County Animal Services officials are available to advise residents about pet euthanasia and can determine if it is appropriate. The cost is usually $50, Ravitch said.